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Air Force

USAF Mechanics Take On Aircraft Born Five Decades Before They Were

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

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USAF Mechanics Take On Aircraft Born Five Decades Before They Were

Pictured is Senior Airman Stephen Chilcutt, a B-52 phase crew chief with the 2nd Maintenance Squadron, standing in a B-52 bomb bay at Barksdale AFB, La.

BARKSDALE AFB, La.--Every 450 flight hours, or two years, an early 1960s U.S. Air Force B-52H bomber by Boeing [BA] will come here for 23 days of phased, "bumper to bumper" inspection and maintenance with the 580 personnel of the 2nd Maintenance Squadron--the "Cajun Knuckle Busters." Of the service's three bombers, the oldest is close to being the most mission ready. Last year, the B-52H had a mission capable (MC) rate of about 54 percent, slightly lower than the Northrop…

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